2017 brought new challenges and with them new opportunities for the Reporters Committee to showcase our commitment and dedication to providing legal services and support to journalists in the advancement of press freedom.

When you look at the numbers, the need for our services is stark: Our attorneys were lead counsel in 23 litigation matters, filed more than 40 friend-of-the-court briefs and letters on behalf of journalists and news organizations, and assisted more than 300 reporters who reached out to our hotline with questions. Through all of this, the Reporters Committee remains steadfast in the defense of press freedom.

With your generous support, we’re investing in expanding our services to reach more journalists and news organizations. In 2017, we added key staff — including three new staff attorneys — to better match the growing need for assistance. We also announced an important partnership with the International Documentary Association to offer legal support to filmmakers whose work shines a light on some of the most important stories of our time.

As a result, you can see our impact through the journalism that is made possible by the work we do. The Camarillo Acorn — a small community newspaper — published an important story about allegations of misconduct and misuse of public funds at a local government agency because RCFP attorneys stepped in when it lacked the funds to fight a lawsuit that would have prevented it from obtaining public records. The public learned that the Trump Organization paid more than $1 million to settle a labor dispute over the construction of Trump Tower after we won our lawsuit with Time Inc. to unseal records from the case. And with your support, we’re working with even more news organizations and journalists on the stories that have yet to be told.

Thank you for your continued investment in our work and for your unwavering commitment to the First Amendment and freedom of the press.

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